Brownie

Brownie

8 x 16

Oil on Raymar Panel

$500

Last weekend I went to the National Mall and visited the World War II memorial.  There was a group of "Rosie the Riveters" being brought in as part of the Honor Flight program.  To greet these wonderful women who worked in the factories during World War II, there were young women dressed up in "Rosie the Riveters" outfits and other vintage costumes.  One woman bought a vintage brownie and cub scout uniform uniform and dressed up her little ones to join in the fun.  I was so taken with nostalgia and the adorableness of the kids that I just had to, with permission, take a couple of quick pictures.  As I am having a hard time focusing during our preparation for our move to North Carolina...this fun little painting was a welcome respite from my larger, more detailed pieces.  

scribble people - inspired by Andrew Wyeth

Scribble People

9 x 12

sketch paper

I have been doing a lot of sketching and I really love it.  I have been dismayed, though, that my sketches never look as good as others I have seen.  I refer to my work as scribbling instead of sketching.  I never felt worthy of the term sketching.  I started reading "Wyeth at Kuerners" written by Betsy James Wyeth.  It is a book of Andrew Wyeth's sketches...As I looked at the beautiful art work by Andrew Wyeth I took notice of his sketches.  They were incomplete...messy...and absolutely brilliant.  He sketched the same thing multiple times, the same figure, the same composition with slight variations...always refining, repositioning.  Of course his finished paintings are beyond description they are so marvelous.  

When I started this sketch I decided to never let my pencil leave the paper.  It worked for the most part...I did have a pause or two but for the most part it is one long scribble line.  As I sketched I thought about who these people are and how I could relate to them.  Down the line I started with a woman in a tall hat with a cross body bag, followed with the profile of a youngster...another woman with a large hat and a feathered plume...a hard hat/helmet adorns the head of another depicting my military heritage...a chef's hat reminds me of my families love for cooking...a love that I do not share...but I appreciate that others enjoy the creativity of their culinary efforts.  The end of the line is a figure in a baseball cap leaning on a bat...my love of sports is represented...love for playing much more than watching.  

So, while my sketches are messy, I know they serve a purpose and I will continue.  

As an aside...I highly recommend "Wyeth at Kuerners" book to anyone who is interested in composition and studying the genius of a realistic, abstract artist.  

selfie - graphite on sketch paper

This is graphite on a 9 x 12 piece of sketch book paper.  And by graphite I mean a #2 pencil.  I started sketching with #2 pencils because they are so readily available and I usually have one in my purse.  I sketch selfies quite often because I want to practice...I want to practice facial features and gestures...and I am the only one available...so I sketch myself.   I try to sketch my husband in the evenings when we are relaxing and watching TV...but sometimes he moves too much.  I am working on sketching when my model moves and can get a reasonable likeness...sometimes I keep two or three sketches going hoping he will settle back into a previous position.  It is a challenge...a challenge I enjoy.

The Colonel

The Colonel

16 x 20

Oil on Ramar Panel

NFS

I love painting my husband.  He is pretty cooperative...modeling is not his favorite thing to do...but I can talk him into it from time to time.  I love to paint him because his face is so interesting.  He has these wonderful deep set eyes that are a chameleon like gray/green/blue depending upon his surroundings.  They are the kind of eyes that look translucent.  His brow is furrowed and has a slight scar above his lip on his left side.  I know his face so well.  

Often when we are out in restaurants or just sitting in a park I will say to him "stay just as you are" and he knows by now to just sit icily still while I whip out my phone and take pictures.  The I may direct him to put his coffee cup down or turn one direction or another.  He knows that the atmosphere is perfect and I am trying to capture the light!  Then I do studies when I get home...until I can get him to sit for me again!  

Sketching my way through my life...

I have alway wanted to sketch my way through my life...but never took the initiative...

I always see these fabulous sketch journals posted by fabulous artists and I have always wanted to do one.  I knew mine would not be fabulous but I decided to begin one and see how I do.  I started with pictures I had taken in Japan while on my fabulous adventure with Carrie Roets Waller and Debra Keirce.  I sorted the pictures and began sketching in pencil...using a fabulous accordion sketchbook I purchased in Japan.  Once the basic sketch was done I used a ink marker to darken the lines.  I then decided I would put a watercolor wash on some of the pictures.  I wasn't as happy with the watercolor wash as I had imagined so stopped it.  I tried my watercolor pencils and they seemed to work better.  It is probably because it is not watercolor paper...or maybe just operator error!  hahaha!  

Anyway...a quick message to Carrie to let me know the names of places I had forgotten and I had my sketch journal! 

I may add some more sketches...I have a couple of pages left.  But I am semi-pleased with my first attempt.  

My plan is to sketch my way through Venice...on my next adventure!  

Grandkids

Grandkids

30 x 30

Oil on Linen

NFS

I wanted a painting for my mantle when we move into our new home and I wanted it to be of my grandchildren.  Since I only get to see them a couple of times a year I had to rely on a photo reference.  This is one of them sitting on the couch relaxing.  I am sure Riley...the younger grandson, wanted the TV turned on which is why he is holding the remote control.  Jayden is content to suck his thumb and snuggle with his well-loved blanket.  the quilt on the side of the couch represents one of the quilts I made that my son and his wife now enjoy.  I loved that Jayden had striped pajamas on...how fun to paint!  

I have worked on this piece of and on for months and it is one of those pieces that I could work on forever.  I can always find ways to improve it...but I finally had to let it go and call it finished.  I am sure I will paint another for my mantle...and another...and another...